I met two young, creative entrepreness sisters when I was speaking at a Crave Show last year. Simran Khalsa and Santamrit Violet are co-owners of Vegan Divine, a vegan gourmet gift basket company.

Vegan Divine Founders

Their creativity and charming personalities stayed with me so I asked if I could interview them about their business. Here's the conversation in their own words.

Question 1: Sustainability in business.

WK: I was impressed to learn that everything you're doing in your business is sustainable. What tips do you have for other businesses looking to move toward a sustainable business model?

SK & SV: Sustainability is easy once you make the decision to be a sustainable business. Sustainability is as good as you make it. Often it's not only sustainable, but also financially beneficial to incorporate these basics in to your products, work space, marketing materials etc. Here are a few tips.

1. Take the first steps to a GREAT start with Recycling, Reducing, Reusing
2. Look towards leaders in sustainability and other businesses in your field to see what they are using to "Go Green"
3. Consider products with terms such as soy based inks, biodegradable, animal-friendly/ cruelty-free, tree free and eco-friendly
4. Promote other businesses that share this same sustainable business practices by featuring their products or services through your venue.
5. Support local and smaller businesses to encourage a community economical structure.
6. Continue to research and seek out new ways to improve and practice sustainability even when road block appear. Don't give up!

Question 2: Family businesses

WK: I was amazed to learn that you're sisters and run the business together! Do you always agree on business decisions? What's the one piece of advice you would give other entrepreneurs wanting to go into business with a family member?

SK & SV: No, we do not always agree on things…and usually they are small decisions that need to be made. When this takes place, we stop and allow ourselves to see that we must choose a win/win where both sides feel good and comfortable.

When one is willing to find a solution that both parties can agree upon, great things unfold that were previously were unnoticed. The key is to be PATIENT and HONOR all, and to clear up any fears that arise in the process, so that all can TRUST. Never take your family members for granted because you MUST value them like you would in a professional setting.

This is no different than being in relationships as positive and fulfilling relationships always stem from allowing others to grow and knowing there is absolutely no LOSS during this process. It all leads to something even greater…MORE LOVE Within.

Question 3: The value of personalizing products

WK: I see that you offer personalized gift baskets on your website. Personalizing products definitely has a payoff for the customer. How does it benefit you as the business owner?

SK & SV: The benefits are of customization are REPEAT clientele because you JOYFULLY fulfilled their custom needs that made the gift extra special as this is truly what the customer was looking for from the start. As we offer more flexibility and choices to our customers, they feel as though they participated in the creation of their gift. There is an empowered feeling that is delivered and is appreciated. Who doesn't like to be appreciated?

Question 4: Picking your target audience and market

WK: Some businesses worry that if they pick a narrow target audience, they will miss out on other business opportunities. Are you glad you've picked such a narrow niche of serving vegan clients? What are the benefits targeting only these people brings to your business?

SK & SV: Yes, we are very glad to have picked a niche market as this allows us to specialize and offer services that are not provided by others. As we build our clientele, and trust is established, greater business and success follows.

This process is still unfolding for us, and although we must be patient, as we are growing in business we are noticing that we actually cater to those who KNOW of a vegan or to those of the health or sustainability lifestyle. So it is not that our target market is narrow, but a niche market really offers an exclusive opportunity to serve others.

There is a personal gratification that occurs as a result of serving those who have searched for vegan, eco-friendly, and organic gifts. It actually makes it easier to do your marketing when you know who your REAL target audience is!

Question 4: Niche marketing

WK: What are you finding are the most effective ways to market your niche business right now?

SK & SV: In today's day and age, the internet is the best venue for marketing an online based business. Simply because the internet provides an array of choice that the customer is well aware of. No other forefront can offer so many options, while saving the client time and money as this is a valued convenience.

Observation shows that the greatest number of sales come from internet search engines. To be ranked effectively, requires a business to link up with other credible sites that also rank high. If you are an online business, the best marketing tool we have discovered is online networking.